homelessness

American  

[hohm-lis-nis] / ˈhoʊm lɪs nɪs /

noun

1. lack of permanent housing, especially this condition generally as a matter of public concern.

   The city partners with community groups to offer resources for youth experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

2. lack of a feeling of belonging; rootlessness or restlessness.

   He writes about a feeling of homelessness after immigration, when he felt neither firmly bound to his native culture nor fully adapted to the new one.

---

Sensitive Note

See homeless ( def. ).

Etymology

Origin of homelessness

First recorded in 1810–20; homeless ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

Miller, who described himself as a lifelong Democrat, pointed out that Raman runs the powerful five-member council committee on housing and homelessness.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority said its annual count showed total homelessness, including people in shelters, in L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

“We’re trying to end homelessness, not have people recycle back to homelessness,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

Almost 76% of the the county’s students experiencing homelessness were Latino, while Black students made up another 12%, in the 2023-24 school year.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Consider the recent history of homelessness in the United States.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt